Who Was Biggie Smalls?
Biggie Smalls, born Christopher Wallace and also known as “The Notorious B.I.G.,” was a transformative figure in hip-hop, particularly on the East Coast. His life was tragically cut short at the age of 24 when he was murdered in Los Angeles on March 9, 1997—a case that remains unsolved. Hailing from New York, Biggie played a pivotal role in reviving East Coast rap, which had been overshadowed by the West Coast’s “g-funk” sound led by Dr. Dre and Death Row Records in the early ’90s. With his distinctive baritone voice, smooth flow, and lyrics that captured both the brutal and vulnerable sides of street life, Biggie brought the spotlight back to New York and his record label, Bad Boy Records. Though he portrayed a gangster persona, Biggie was more of a performer than a true criminal, similar to his one-time friend and later rival, Tupac Shakur—a rivalry that ended in tragedy for both artists.
Early Life
Christopher George Latore Wallace was born on May 21, 1972, in Brooklyn, New York. His parents, who both hailed from Jamaica, were Voletta, a preschool teacher, and Selwyn, a welder and local politician. Selwyn left when Biggie was just two years old, leaving Voletta to raise him alone. Despite her efforts to provide a good education by sending him to private school, Biggie’s life took a different turn. He transferred to George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School, where he rubbed shoulders with future rappers like Jay-Z and Busta Rhymes. Though he excelled in English, he eventually dropped out at 17, having become involved in drug dealing at the age of 12. His mother, who worked long hours, was unaware of his activities. Biggie’s life soon spiraled into legal troubles, with multiple arrests that culminated in a stint in jail for dealing cocaine in North Carolina.
Rise to Fame with Bad Boy Records
Biggie began rapping in his teenage years, entertaining his friends in the neighborhood. After his release from jail, he recorded a demo tape under the name Biggie Smalls—a nod to his childhood nickname and a character from the 1975 movie Let’s Do It Again. Although he didn’t initially plan to pursue a music career, his tape caught the attention of The Source magazine, leading to a feature in their Unsigned Hype column in 1992. This exposure brought Biggie to the attention of Sean “Puffy” Combs, an A&R executive at Uptown Records. After Combs left Uptown to start his own label, Bad Boy Records, Biggie joined him. His first solo single, “Party and Bullshit,” was released in 1993, but it was his debut album, Ready to Die, released in 1994, that catapulted him to stardom. The album was a critical and commercial success, marking a resurgence in East Coast hip-hop and showcasing Biggie’s storytelling prowess.
Friendship and Rivalry with Tupac
Biggie Smalls first met Tupac Shakur in 1993, and the two quickly became friends. Tupac, already a successful artist, mentored the then-unknown Biggie, even advising him to stick with Puffy as his manager, predicting that Puffy would make him a star. However, their friendship soured after Tupac was shot in 1994 during a robbery in New York, an incident Tupac believed Biggie and Puffy had orchestrated. The release of Biggie’s “Who Shot Ya?” shortly after the shooting only fueled Tupac’s suspicions, leading to a bitter feud that played out in the media and through their music. Tupac’s 1996 diss track “Hit ‘Em Up” escalated the rivalry, with Tupac claiming to have had an affair with Biggie’s wife, Faith Evans.
Success and Legal Troubles
In 1995, Biggie released music with Junior M.A.F.I.A., a group he formed to mentor young rappers, including Lil’ Kim, with whom he had an affair. That year, he also became one of the few hip-hop artists to collaborate with Michael Jackson. Despite his musical success, Biggie’s life was marred by legal issues. He faced multiple arrests, including incidents involving assault, drug possession, and weapons charges. His personal life was equally turbulent, with his marriage to Faith Evans being tested by infidelity and the pressures of fame.
The Death of Tupac and Biggie’s Own Tragic End
On September 7, 1996, Tupac was shot dead in Las Vegas, a murder that remains unsolved but is often linked to the East Coast-West Coast feud that Biggie and Tupac had come to embody. Biggie himself was deeply affected by Tupac’s death, recognizing the influence their rivalry had on the hip-hop community. He expressed a desire to end the feud, but his own life was cut short just months later. On March 9, 1997, Biggie was shot and killed in Los Angeles after leaving a party. Like Tupac’s murder, Biggie’s case remains unsolved, adding to the tragedy of his untimely death.
Legacy
Biggie Smalls’ influence on hip-hop endures long after his death. His second album, Life After Death, was released posthumously in March 1997, featuring collaborations with top artists and earning multiple Grammy nominations. The album, which includes hits like “Hypnotize” and “Mo Money Mo Problems,” was certified diamond, solidifying Biggie’s status as one of the greatest rappers of all time. His legacy has been further cemented through posthumous releases, biopics, and documentaries, including a 2009 film and a 2017 A&E documentary. In 2020, Biggie was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, underscoring his lasting impact on music and culture. His story, marked by triumph and tragedy, continues to resonate with fans and artists alike, reminding the world of the indelible mark he left on hip-hop.
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